Black-And-White Photo Competition 2 2015 : Results

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
As if we are there ourselves, listening to the ladies as the landscape passes by outside. So many years of experience and storytelling brought together for a while in a small space … that’s what we think when we see this tight composed photograph with very good control of the shadows and highlights. Well done!
Photographers Comment
Thanks for the Mark! I took this picture on one of my daily train rides to my workingplace in Lausanne - Switzerland. I was sitting beside the nice ladies. They were talking about the good old times...so much changed...lots of things were better before...while the landscape outside passes by. The judges got it exactly right! ;-). I usually prefer Leica cameras as my favorite photographic tools but this picture was taken with my IPHONE 5s!! I slightly processed it with The Adobe Photoshop Express App on my portable device too. So no professional equipment at all was used to do it. Best Sandro Manni
m.flickr.com/#/photos/sandromanni/

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
We like the perspective in this photograph and the moment of pride and concentration of bringing yet another batch of bread out of the oven.
Photographers Comment
My name is Joe Smith and I am a Maltese photographer/designer. My favourite subjects are: portrait, social documentary, the performing arts and architecture. This image was made in a local Maltese bakery in the village of Qormi. This village is synonymous with the production of Maltese bread and a a good number of bakers ply their trade here. The camera used is a Nikon D700 with a 24-70 2.8 HSM Sigma lens.
www.smithjp.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
It's the composition and the tones we first like in this photo. We instantly were drawn into it and admired the drama. The next layer is the persons who seem connected but could also be independently placed- but placed in the exact right spot for the composition to work. The viewpoint behind the trees is also intriguing and makes us wonder if they know we are seeing what is happening.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
This photograph has a lot of storytelling qualities, as well as technical qualities. We are touched by the amount of detail in the light and shadows, on roofs, on tables and in the street. But first and foremost the we find ourself wondering and amused by the mothers with their kids, as if it was models put in the scene. But it is nothing like a model shoot. It is a very strange photo, and we like it!

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Is it a stroke of luck, or did the photographer just happen to look and notice that this would be an awesome picture? We love it!
Photographers Comment
A stroke of luck, I must admit. One day, when I was "scanning" my archives for motifs, I discovered the cloud. This was more than a year after it was captured on the west coast of Ireland as a "hidden part" of a much larger landscape scenery. Captured with my Leica M240 and a 50 mm Summilux asph. Post processed in Silver Efex. Erik Kjaer Hansen, Skanderborg, Denmark
kjaerhansen.photos

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
A story of courage, we think. We love the tight and straight composition, the tones and the awaiting mood of it all.
Photographers Comment
I would like to thank the judges for their comments and congratulate the winner. This picture was taken in Merimbula, New South Wales, Australia, using a Leica M Monochrom and a Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH lens with a neutral density filter. Processing in Lightroom and Silver Efex Pro. Regards, Andrew
www.andrewlance.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Cute photo, but even more admirable tones, composition and the right expression. A very pleasant photo with a fun story.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
You never walk alone. We find ourself comparing the shadow to the man, and especially his mood and attitude. The shadow seems more upright and happy then the man in the light. Could it be so?
Photographers Comment
Thank you for the judges for such a great privilege! My name is Jane and I am an aspiring street photographer based in Melbourne, Australia. I took this photo while out on a walk during one of my lunch time breaks. The tree shadow really caught my attention, and I waited for a few minutes before he walked into the frame. He looked like he had a lot on his mind and I am glad I caught his emotions at this point in time. I took this photo with Olympus OMD em5 and 17mm lens.
www.janezhangphotography.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Very simple, nice and excellent composition.
Photographers Comment
Very grateful to receive this Mark of Excellence award! Thank you. This photo was taken on the streets of Munich, Germany. I've noticed this elderly gentleman slowly walking down the street taking notice of people passing by and wondering - in my head anyway - about the life that inevitably passes by, too. Shot with Leica M9 and 50mm Summilux wide open @ f1.4 , processed in LR and Photoshop CC. Best regards from Aleksandar S Mastilo My most recent photos to be found here: facebook.com/asmfotodk
www.asmfoto.dk

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
We find this photograph instantly impressive and we want to dream into it. Maybe it’s a little over the top, but maybe a little over the top is how it is supposed to be. We like it and we like looking at it.
Photographers Comment
Taken during rush hour in downtown San Francisco when everyone was leaving work. The late afternoon light was perfect as it created the light and shadows that I look for when I shoot street photography. This is taken with the Sony A7R with the Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA. Image was processed with Lightroom 5 and photoshop CS6.
sweeoh.smugmug.com/

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Perfect composition and rhythm, the exact moment. It’s elegant and grand.
Photographers Comment
Leica Monochrom with 24mm Elmar. Taking a walk through the gardens of Villa Carlotta, Lake Como, Italy.
www.andygemmellphotography.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
As in a book you imagine the mysterious man running down the stairs to the subway, and you think … what’s next? There is something Marvel superhero about this one, it has a lot of great qualities that make it great. The wind in the coat, the sun and shadow, the hat and the slightly tilted crop. Beautiful!
Photographers Comment
"Headed Uptown", shot last December in New York City with a Nikon D610 and Sigma 35mm lens. My name is Frank Multari, I'm a portrait and street photographer in New York, and I appreciate the honor. Thank you.
www.frankmultari.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Another quiet drama plays out in this photograph where the empty space, light and shadow and the position of the woman makes this very simple composition utmost interesting.
Photographers Comment
Roy DyBuncio. I made this photo in Florence Italy. Used a Leica Monochrom, 35mm Summilux lens. Processed with Lightroom 6.
roydybunciostreetphotography.tumblr.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Picasso meets garden and an unknown person. It’s a great photo, like a bold statement. Love it!
Photographers Comment
I took this picture in India in 2010. It's a found image (not setup). I found this person seeking shade under a small tree that had an umbrella on it. I assume the umbrella was there to expand the area of shade. I took the picture with a Nikon D3x with a Zeiss 50mm 1.4 lens on it. Post processing was to convert to Black and White, and apply brightness contrast, dodge and burn.
www.mbwoodphotography.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
A real poser. We love the similarity between the cat and its quirky man.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Great intensity and we “see” the photogprah he is making as well.
Photographers Comment
Waves crushing against shore of lake Geneva attracted that day few people and one of the popular spot for taking pictures has been that concrete ramp. I also took few shots from there, but when was time to go home, luckily, I turned back for the last time. My name is Jan Dolezal and I would like to congratulate the winner and thank to the judges for honoring my image. Olympus EM1, 40mm, ISO 100.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
We imagine this girl is listening to a piece of beautiful music as a transfusion of lifeblood in the middle of life, or perhaps she is on the phone with somebody. It’s a strong emotional image and that is what we like!
Photographers Comment
Thank you for the judges for such a great privilege! My name is Jane and I am an aspiring street photographer based in Melbourne, Australia. I took this photo while on the tram in Melbourne. The girl sitting opposite me was talking to someone on the phone. I got my camera out just in time to capture this sweet and tender moment she shared with a special someone on the other end. I took this photo with Olympus OMD and 45mm lens.
www.janezhangphotography.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
It takes a while, but then you begin to see the layer on layer on layer in this photograph. We feel we never really get finished looking at it.
Photographers Comment
I feel very much honored – many thanks to the jury. The image was taken in Frankfurt, very close to the new European Central Bank at the Main river. It was mid January and the first day with sun and blue sky crossed by condense stripes of planes - people were longing for the first sunshine. My husband and me were sitting inside the coffee restaurant while waiting for a coffee and saw the empty balcony where people usually sit in summertime outside – but it was still much too cold. I took the picture seeing people sitting inside, but pretending sitting outside due to the mirror glass. The picture was taken with my Leica M9 and Elmar 24mm/f 3,8, processed with LR 5 and SE. My name is Sam Soon Hanke, based in Frankfurt.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
As from a birds perspective we’re hanging over the city, and the use of a tilt-shift lens changes all the proportions. Well made and executed. It caught our attention more than once.
Photographers Comment
This photo was shot outside of the hotel room window of Hotel InterContinental New York Times Square in Dec 2013. The lower right corner of this photo is actually a reflection of the street below from the hotel glass facade. Photo was taken using a Fuji XE2 camera with in camera toy effect filter. Photographer: Spencer Tan

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Great emotions in this photograph of something that first looks like an art installation. We don’t know, and we like it!
Photographers Comment
I took this photo with my Nikon F3 and a 35mm lens, some years ago in Brooklyn.
www.jannaverwerser.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
A talk in Italian. We feel as if we can understand what they talk about, and at the same time the comforting understanding. It’s a beautiful moment.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
One of the minimalistic captures in this I-SHOT-IT competition. It’s so different we can’t stop looking at it.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Lovely atmosphere in this almost portrait. We feel we can understand the woman in this photograph and at the same time admire the composition, light and the quiet atmosphere.
Photographers Comment
First off, my congratulations to the winning photo. When it was first posted I thought to myself, "There's the winning image." A truly powerful, emotional image. As for my photo, the woman is my 90 year old mother who lives with me. Every afternoon we go for a walk and on this particular day I was walking behind her when we passed through an area where the sun was sifting through the branches. I noticed the pattern it was casting through her hat onto her neck and quickly held my Sony RX1r above my head and took the picture. ISO 100, f2.8, 1/400 sec. Processed in Lightroom 5, Photoshop CS5 with Topaz plugins and converted to B&W in Nik Silver Efex Pro 2. My thanks to the judges for the Mark of Excellence award.
quintaquad.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Business as usual it the tone of this untraditional picture of a bike being transported on a small ferry. It just has that casual tone about it, and maybe it is very casual in that exact location. We love the understated storytelling in this picture, along with perfect tones and crop.
Photographers Comment
Thank you for the feedback, it is very much appreciated. Early morning river crossing, on my way to visit a tribal village in Karnataka... just the usual morning commute, motorcycle-on-coracle. Richard Shilkus Karnataka, India Fuji X-T1, Fuji XF 56mm @ f/1.2, ISO 200, 1/4000sec
www.richardshilkus.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Intelligent composition and play with light and shadow. Simply uplifting.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
It’s a little like a duck mother with the small ducks following. The composition and light is eye catching, but also the intention with which they move. The kids have different attitudes and we find that interesting to study as well.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
This photograph is thick of an atmosphere of we don’t know what. But we like it for its simplicity, yet the way it sucks us into the story.
Photographers Comment
Congratulations to the winner and for the honor of the Mark of Excellence! This was taken on my daily walk to work facing east into the sun in February, New York City, 31st Street. Leica M6, 35 Summicron, Tri-x @800. Thank you, Frederic Strauss
www.google.com/+FredericStrauss

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Talking with the animals. This photograph is very intense and has both a very intelligent composition as well as a tonality that makes it surreal. We really like this.
Photographers Comment
Thank you. I shot it with a Nikon D300. lens was a Nikon f3.5/5.6 16-85mm. settings: 1/50 @ f3.5 16mm. ISO 320. It was taken at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT at a good friend's wedding.
www.jaysonmusic.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
The intense atmosphere of chess as followed by several generations and an interesting cast of different types. Well done, great composition and timing.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
We found a series of great portraits in this competition. This one we find very interesting in that it takes a while to get into it, but then it is hard to leave it again. The expression and the excessive background makes the photograph a great portrait.
Photographers Comment
Very grateful to have received this Mark of Excellence award! This is a portrait of a young Bhutanese monk taken in Paro Rinpung Dzhong, Bhutan. They say eyes are the windows to the soul. I feel the serene one gets from this boy's expression. Leica M Monochrom | 50mm APO-Summicron | Lightroom + Nik Silver Efex Pro. - Best regards, hookonclassic
www.flickr.com/photos/hookonclassic/

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
A very off guard portrait, and yet it seems as he was asked to pose for it. The position of the hands and the eyes makes the eye wander to learn more. Well cone!
Photographers Comment
My name is Sharookh Mehta and I work in the field of Architecture and design. This image was captured at the "Chor Bazaar" (Thieves market) in the city of Mumbai. I happened to come across this elderly gentleman sitting silently by the side of a pavement. As we spoke casually, he instinctively placed his hand by the side of his head and I knew then - this was an image to be captured. What fascinated me was not so much the position of his hands but the look in his eyes... Shot on a Leica DLux 109, Processed in LR6 and subsequently, Photoshop CS.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Great portrait. Simply well composed, casual and the personality frozen in an instant one would be proud to have as ones portrait. Well done!
Photographers Comment
In the time of a rising deluge of images, with photography relegated to mere consumption and exhibitionism, it’s wonderful that people can still appreciate a hand-crafted image. This portrait of the Dutch actor Maarten Wansink comes from my study in photography at the Fotoacademie Amsterdam. What helped me greatly was the interplay between the portrayer and the portrayed. Maarten sort of ‘gave’ me this moment... Thank you! Love, Paul.
paulcupido.nl

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
A royal portrait with a lot of dignity taken under the highway bridge with a flash it seems. Brilliant capture showing a person and not an object.
Photographers Comment
I would like to express my gratitude for the selection and especially for the judges comment. The photograph is part of a larger project I am working on, telling the story of Roma staying in Sweden. With the work I hope to raise some awareness to the continuing struggle of the Roma population in Europe. Caption: May 2nd, 2015. Uppsala, Sweden. Napoleon, 51, and his wife, Lucia, sleep under a bridge next to the police station of Uppsala. The couple is from Brezoi in Romania and have three older children back home. Napoleon has been working as a craftsman, but in Romania he can not get enough sold to live from. He now tries to sell handmade baskets and brooms in Uppsala, while his wife begs for some money on the streets. It was shot with a Leica M Monochrom and lit with a small LED panel. Processed with LR5 and Silver Efex Pro 2.
www.pascalvossen.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Great photograph with the intense enthusiasm of a young girl photographing. Love it!
Photographers Comment
I am Roger Schaefer from Weinheim near Heidelberg in Germany, and I am honored to get this „Mark of Excellence“. This picture was taken during a photo wokshop with 10- to 12-years-old children in the „Schau- und Sichtungsgarten Hermannshof“ in Weinheim. Nine children were full of enthusiasm when photographing nature. This workshop was part of the „Nature diploma for children“. I shot it with Nikon D200 and 12.0-24.0 mm f/4.0 (12mm), 1/100 Sek; f/5,0; ISO 100.
monochrom.life

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
We will let this gentleman clean up the competition, so to say. Very simple photograph taken in the exact right moment completes the illusion.
Photographers Comment
Night shift, Helsinki, Leica M7, Agfa APX 400

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
As an art piece, but then we realize it is actually a real photograph with a real bird by a tree. The simplicity and tones caught us, more than once.
Photographers Comment
David Saunders, living in Norway. This shot was taken in South Korea, in Ulsan, on 22nd June 2015. I used a Nikon DF with a 24-70mm lens on, @ 70mm @ about 12 metres. There is a beautiful nature reserve along a river that goes up the middle of Ulsan, where bamboo trees and poppy fields blossom. Beside this river is where the shot was taken. In Lightroom I have cropped the left edge and top away to create a busy overture to a light stillness. And converted to Black and White with Siver efex Pro 2.
www.davidsaundersphotography.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
We feel like we are looking through history here, from early railroad through industrial revolution to the modern city ahead and behind it all. There is something mezmerizing looking at the many shapes, contrasts and levels of history in this photograph.
Photographers Comment
Thanks for the kind words and the mark of my photo. My name is Birka, I live in Moscow. This is where this image was taken, it was a very cold winter day last year. The strong lines and the mixture of old and new and the smoke caught my attention. I used a Canon 5d Mark III with a 70-300mm lens.
birkawiedmaier.com

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
A very different portrait, one that captures your attention and make you wonder about the two fellows who could be twin brothers. It contains a lot, yet it is very simple.
Photographers Comment
My name is Carolina Sanchez-Monge, first of all thank you very much to the jury for choosing my photograph. This picture was taken with a Sony AR7 of my twin boys in the backyard of my house.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Cooking at home, maybe just for one person. Of relaxing after a long sunny day in the garden on the hillside. It’s a very private space and we find the view as if we aren’t there.
Photographers Comment
Thank you! I´m very grateful for this honour. It is a private image. It is my father sitting for hours and days picking the cherry stones out with his hands. Belive it or not he makes marmelade for our family sinse my mother died. He really didn´t care much about me taking this image with a Fuji Fine Pix X100 - ISO 200, f/2, 1/125. My name is Susan Gaul and I live in Kirchardt, Germany.

Mark Of Excellence

Judges Comment
Caught in the right moment, brilliant double photograph.
Photographers Comment
My name is Ronaldo Azambuja and I'm photographer in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina Island, Brazil. This photo I took during the qualifying proof of Iron Man, which takes place every year in my town. By observing the shadows because of the time, I positioned myself on a pedestrian walkway and started shooting, experimenting with cyclists and their shadows and then there was this photograph as part of a series of other two interesting photographs. I used a Canon 5D MKII with a 50mm 1.4 lens.
www.500px.com/ronaldoazambuja